Finding Your People: Why Community Matters More Than you Think
When my family relocated to this area of Florida six years ago, we weren't strangers to the state, but we were strangers to this specific community. And if you've ever moved somewhere new, even somewhere familiar in some ways, you know that finding "your people" quickly becomes the top priority. It certainly was for me.
I've learned that volunteering is one of the fastest, most meaningful ways to get plugged in. It's not just about giving back, though that matters deeply. It's about doing life alongside people who share your values, especially when you're navigating a new season or a new city.
Junior League of Manatee County
One of the ways I've found that connection is through the Junior League of Manatee County, an organization of women focused on leadership training, volunteer action, and giving back to our local community. Our work centers on developing women leaders and tackling food insecurity right here in Manatee County.
This year, we're growing that mission with a few new initiatives, including Feed the Need with JLMC, a monthly food donation collection day supporting various local food pantries with high-demand items, along with a holiday market and a community 5K fundraisers. These projects are a direct, tangible way to serve our neighbors, and I'm proud to be part of the team making them happen.
Showing Up Where My Kids Are
Volunteering doesn't have to mean joining a formal organization, either. Some of the most rewarding ways I've gotten involved have been simple: helping out at my kids' school, serving during VBS week, and being part of our church community in general. These moments let me see my kids' world up close while building relationships with other families doing the same thing.
Mom Ministry — Finding My People
For the past five years, I've also served on the leadership team of a local Mom Ministry, Lakewood Ranch Momco. This has been one of the most vital relationships in my life since moving here. Being surrounded by other women in the same season of life, raising young kids, growing in their faith, and figuring it all out, has given me a support system I didn't know I needed until I had it. Doing life together isn't just a nice idea - it's essential.
Why This Matters
If you're new to this area, or even if you've been here for years but haven't quite found your footing, my advice is simple: get involved. Whether it's a service organization, your kids' school, your church, or a group built around a shared season of life, showing up consistently is what builds real community.
Finding and helping build these communities has blessed my life, my family's life, and my career in ways I couldn't have predicted. The relationships I've built through volunteering have shaped how I show up for my clients, too, because at the end of the day, helping people find home is about so much more than a house. It's about helping them find their people and their place.
For more information about Junior League of Manatee County, visit their page here:
https://www.facebook.com/juniorleaguemanatee
For more information about Lakewood Ranch MomCo, visit their page here:
https://www.facebook.com/lwrmomco